Kuala lumpur: All 230 money laundering cases, involving more than RM24.1 million, facing GISB Holdings Sdn Bhd (GISBH) chief executive officer Nasiruddin Mohd Ali and three former accountants, will be jointly heard before Sessions Court Fatimah Zahari. Judge Awang Kerisnada Awang Mahmud of Criminal Sessions Court 2 made the order after allowing an application by the prosecution for all the cases, previously heard before him and Judge Fatimah, to be consolidated under a single judge.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the consolidation was requested by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Ashrof Adrin Kamarul to save time and costs for all parties involved. He noted that the joint trial would also facilitate the attendance of witnesses and the parties concerned, assist in pre-trial preparations, and ensure the smooth progress of the trial. Mohd Ashrof was accompanied by Deputy Public Prosecutor Mohd Izham Mohd Marzuki during the proceedings.
Lawyers Datuk Rosli Kamaruddin and Nurainaa Kamilah Zalizan, representing the accused, did not object to the prosecution's application. The court subsequently set January 29, 2025, for mention.
Last September 10, Nasiruddin, 66, along with former accountants Hamimah Yakub, 73; Asmat @ Asmanira Muhammad Ramly, 45; and Mohd Khusairi Osman, 54, pleaded not guilty to the charges made against them. Nasiruddin faces 77 counts of money laundering involving RM10,084,323.70, while Hamimah is charged with 59 counts involving RM2,145,357.62. Asmat @ Asmanira is facing 43 charges amounting to RM3,806,392.01, and Mohd Khusairi Osman is facing 51 charges totaling RM8,136,047.51.
The offences allegedly took place at bank branches around Selangor between 2020 and 2024, involving transactions with several parties, including bank accounts belonging to GISBH, GISB Mart Sdn Bhd, GISB Travel and Tours Sdn Bhd, and a childcare centre. The defendants are charged under Subsection 4(1)(b) of the Anti-Money Laundering, Anti-Terrorism Financing and Proceeds of Unlawful Activities Act 2001 (Act 613), which carries a penalty under Subsection 4(1) of the same Act.
If convicted, they face imprisonment for a term not exceeding 15 years and a fine of not less than five times the value of the proceeds of illegal activities at the time the offence was committed, or RM5 million, whichever is higher.